5 things to know about your ferret

Behavior: Ferrets are more active during the day; they sleep soundly, sometimes even while being picked up and carried around

Did You Know: They may have a very strong odor, particularly unaltered male ferrets.The English translation for the scientific name for ferret is "stinky thief"

How do I set up my ferret's home?

Social and inquisitive, ferrets can live happily in pairs or groups and can be litter-box trained.

Your ferret will need a well-ventilated, multilevel cage that's at least 30 x 29 x 18 inches (bigger if it houses multiple ferrets) and large enough to hold a food dish, a water bottle and a hiding house. The habitat should have separate areas for ferrets to exercise, sleep and use the litter box.

Place the habitat out of direct sunlight in a temperate, low-humidity room that's 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 Celsius).

Place a triangular litter pan in a corner of the cage, far from your ferret's food and water. Fill it with litter made of recycled-paper pellets.

What do ferrets eat?

Your ferret's diet should include commercial pellet food and fruit.

Pellet food is ideal for ferrets, who otherwise would pick out the most delicious morsels of a mixed food. Pellets should make up 95% of your ferret's diet. Feed your ferret once a day, keeping the bowl about three-quarters full.

Once a week, offer your ferret fruit such as apple, banana and melon, or other appropriate fruits. This should make up no more than 5% of their diet.

Be sure your ferret has access to fresh, clean water at all times.

How do I play with and groom my ferret?

Ferrets like a private area of their own. Get each of your ferrets a hammock or tent for sleeping and lounging.

Ferrets like to chew on hard plastic or cloth toys; they also enjoy "ferreting" out the best route through play tunnels.

For exercise, put ferrets in an escape-proof playpen or walk them on a leash.

How do I keep my ferret healthy?

Try not to handle new ferrets for 3 or 4 days after bringing them home to give them time to adjust.

Don't let ferrets play on mattresses or foam cushions, because they may be tempted to chew and swallow pieces of these soft items. For the same reason, never give ferrets toys made of soft rubber or foam.

Ferrets don't mix well with cats and dogs, so keep these species separate.

When your ferret has settled in, contact a veterinarian with small-animal experience if you notice any of these signs of stress or illness:

Cloudy, sunken or swollen eyes

Lethargic behavior

Bare patches in fur

Difficulty urinating

Weight loss; not eating or drinking normally

Sneezing; discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth

Diarrhea or discolored droppings

PET SAFETY TIPS

Use caution when handling pets and remember they may bite or scratch (especially when stressed).